Cushioning Structure, Cushioning Assembly and Child Carrier System

This application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 202410166931.2, entitled “CUSHIONING STRUCTURE AND CHILD CARRIER SYSTEM” and filed on Feb. 5, 2024, Chinese Application No. 202410780910.X, entitled “CUSHIONING STRUCTURE, CUSHIONING ASSEMBLY AND CHILD CARRIER SYSTEM” and filed on Jun. 17, 2024, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present disclosure relates to the field of children's products, particularly to a cushioning structure, a cushioning assembly, and a child carrier system.

A child carrier (e.g., a child safety seat, etc.) is a device specifically designed for a child. The child carrier is typically used in conjunction with a cushioning structure to provide further support for the child's body, thereby enhancing the safety and comfort of the child riding. The child carrier is generally designed to be adjustable to fit children at different ages or heights. Therefore, it is necessary to design the position of the cushioning structure to be adjustable, in order to fit children at different ages or heights.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a cushioning structure, a cushioning assembly, and a child carrier system including the cushioning structure.

According to a first technical solution of the present disclosure, it is provided with a cushioning structure, suitable for a child carrier, including: a connecting unit configured to connect to the headrest part of the child carrier; a backrest unit connected to the connecting unit; and a seat unit connected to the backrest unit; wherein the connecting unit drives the backrest unit and the seat unit to move along with movement of the headrest part.

In one of the embodiments, the connecting unit includes: a headrest cushion connected to the backrest unit and configured to support a child's head; and a connecting part connected to a back side of the headrest cushion and configured to connect to the headrest part.

In one of the embodiments, a part of the connecting part is spaced apart from the back side of the headrest cushion to form a pocket-like portion, and the connecting unit is configured to sleeve the headrest part to accommodate the headrest part within the pocket-like portion.

In one of the embodiments, the connecting part has an opening for exposing a position operating member on the headrest part.

In one of the embodiments, the seat unit has a crotch belt perforation in a strip-like shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the seat unit.

In one of the embodiments, the seat unit includes: a seat cushion; a dividing part connected to the seat cushion and at least dividing the seat cushion into a first seating area and a second seating area, the first seating area being connected between the backrest unit and the second seating area, the seat cushion being foldable at the dividing part.

In one of the embodiments, in a longitudinal direction of the cushioning structure, an extension length of the first seating area is shorter than an extension length of the second seating area.

In one of the embodiments, the seat unit has a crotch belt perforation in a strip-like shape extending from the second seating area to the first seating area.

In one of the embodiments, in the longitudinal direction of the cushioning structure, an extension length of the crotch belt perforation in the first seating area is shorter than an extension length of the crotch belt perforation in the second seating area.

In one of the embodiments, a first waist belt channel is provided on an end of the first seating area away from the second seating area, a guide channel is provided on the seat cushion, the guide channel extends inward from a side edge of the seat cushion and communicates with the first waist belt channel.

In one of the embodiments, the seat cushion is further provided with a second waist belt channel that is positioned outside the first waist belt channel in a transverse direction of the seat cushion.

In one of the embodiments, a part of the second waist belt channel extends in a longitudinal direction of the seat cushion towards a free end of the seat cushion beyond the first waist belt channel.

In one of the embodiments, the cushioning structure includes two sets of waist belt cooperation parts spaced apart in the transverse direction of the cushioning structure, each set of the waist belt cooperation parts has at least two waist belt channels arranged in the transverse direction, so that the cushioning structure is configured to match at least two width modes of the waist belt of the child carrier.

In one of the embodiments, the seat unit includes a seat cushion and two first side guards respectively connected to both sides of the seat cushion. Each of the first side guards includes a first part connected to the seat cushion, and a second part connected to the first part in the longitudinal direction of the seat cushion. The second part is positioned closer to the backrest unit relative to the first part. The second part is spaced apart from the seat cushion.

In one of the embodiments, the seat unit includes a seat cushion and two first side guards respectively connected to both sides of the seat cushion. Each of the first side guards has a first end and a second end arranged opposite to each other. The second end of the first side guard is positioned closer to the backrest unit relative to the first end of the first side guard. The second end of the first side guard is provided with a first inclined edge. The first inclined edge extends obliquely from one side edge of the first side guard away from the side edge of the seat cushion, to allow the second end of the first side guard to make way for the side edge of the seat cushion.

In one of the embodiments, the backrest unit includes a backrest cushion and two second side guards respectively connected to both sides of the backrest cushion. The second end of the first side guard is provided with a second inclined edge. The second inclined edge extends obliquely from the other side edge of the first side guard away from the first end of the first side guard, to allow the second end of the first side guard to make way for the second side guard.

In one of the embodiments, the second side guard, on a side thereof closer to the first side guard, has a first edge that extends outwardly and obliquely away from the seat unit.

In one of the embodiments, the connecting unit is further configured to support a child's head, and the cushioning structure has two shoulder belt channels between the connecting unit and the backrest unit.

In one of the embodiments, the cushioning structure further includes a connecting body configured to connect to a structure movable with the headrest part and below the headrest part in the child carrier; wherein the connecting body is connected to the connecting unit and positioned on the back side of the connecting unit, or the connecting body is connected to the backrest unit and positioned on the back side of the backrest unit.

According to a second technical solution of the present disclosure, it is provided with a cushioning assembly suitable for a child carrier, including a cushion body and the cushioning structure according to the first technical solution. The cushioning assembly has a first usage mode and a second usage mode; wherein when the cushioning assembly is in the first usage mode, the cushioning structure is used in combination with the cushion body, and the cushion body is placed on the cushioning structure and configured to allow a child to be seated; when the cushioning assembly is in the second usage mode, the cushion body is removed from the cushioning structure, and the cushioning structure is configured to allow the child to be seated.

In one of the embodiments, the cushion body includes a main body and two fourth side guards connected to both sides of the main body. A penetration part is formed between each of the fourth side guards and a side of the main body corresponding to the fourth side guard. The penetration part is configured such that the waist belt of the child carrier may pass through it.

In one of the embodiments, the seat unit of the cushioning structure includes a seat cushion, and waist belt passages are provided on both sides of the seat cushion.

According to a third technical solution of the present disclosure, it is provided with a child carrier system, including a child carrier and the cushioning structure according to the first technical solution. The cushioning structure is detachably connected to the child carrier, wherein a seat body of the child carrier includes: a seat part; a backrest part connected to the seat part and forming a seating space together with the seat part; and a headrest part connected to the backrest part and capable of sliding relative to the backrest part in a longitudinal direction of the backrest part; wherein the cushioning structure is positioned within the seating space, and the connecting unit of the cushioning structure is connected to the headrest part.

In one of the embodiments, when the headrest part slides relative to the backrest part away from the seat part, a distance between a free edge of the seat unit of the cushioning structure and a free edge of the seat part increases; when the headrest part slides relative to the backrest part close to the seat part, a distance between the free edge of the seat unit of the cushioning structure and the free edge of the seat part decreases.

In one embodiment, the child carrier system includes a head contact surface and a back contact surface. The head contact surface is provided on the headrest part or the connecting unit, and the head contact surface is configured to contact and support the child's head. The back contact surface is provided on the backrest unit of the cushioning structure, and the back contact surface is configured to contact and support the child's back. In a direction perpendicular to the head contact surface, the head contact surface is retracted in a direction close to the seat body relative to the back contact surface.

In one of the embodiments, the child carrier includes a safety belt connected to the seat body, the safety belt passes through the cushioning structure to position the cushioning structure within the seating space.

In one embodiment, the safety belt includes a waist belt, the seat part has two sets of waist belt connecting assembly, each set of waist belt connecting assembly has at least two waist belt connecting parts spaced apart in a transverse direction of the child carrier, the waist belt may connect to any one of the at least two waist belt connecting parts, so that the waist belt has at least two width modes.

In one embodiment, the headrest part includes a headrest support sheet and a buffer connected to the headrest support sheet. The buffer is positioned on a side of the headrest support sheet facing the seating space.

To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be comprehensively described below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure more thorough and comprehensive.

It should be noted that when an element is considered to be “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element and integrated therewith, or there may be intermediate elements present. The terms “mounted”, “one end”, “the other end” and similar expressions used herein are used for illustrative purposes only.

All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. The terms used in the specification of the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The term “and/or” as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items.

Referring to, which is a schematic view of a child carrier system according to the present disclosure. The child carrier system includes a cushioning structureand a child carrier. The cushioning structureis detachably connected to the child carrierand is positioned within a seating space of the child carrier. The child carrieris exemplified as a basket-style child safety seat (also referred to as an infant car seat); however, the cushioning structureaccording to the present disclosure may also be applied to other child carriersthat require support for children, such as Harness-style child safety seats, Booster-style child safety seats, child dining chairs, and various types of child strollers.

Referring to, the child carrierincludes a seat body, a safety belt connected to the seat body, and a coverfitted over the seat body. The seat bodyincludes a headrest part, a backrest part, and a seat part. The backrest partand the seat partare connected with each other and form a seating space together. The headrest partis connected to the backrest partand may slide relative to the backrest partin a longitudinal direction of the backrest part. The seat bodyis also provided with a headrest adjustment mechanism (not shown) and a position operating member (not shown) for a user to adjust a position of the headrest part. Thereby, by operating the position operating member, the headrest adjustment mechanism releases the headrest part, and then the headrest partslides relative to the backrest partto a suitable position. That is, the position of the headrest partis locked while releasing the position operating member, as such, the position of the headrest partis matched with the seated child. That is, the child carriermay be suitable for children at different ages or heights.

As shown in, the safety belt of the child carriermay restrain the child, keeping the child seated within the seating space. The safety belt includes two shoulder belts, two waist belts, and one crotch belt. One end of the crotch beltis connected to the seat body, and the other end of the crotch beltis connected to a buckle. The shoulder beltsand waist beltshave connecting members that are detachably connected to the buckle. Of course, the safety belt may also take other forms, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The safety belt passes through the cushioning structureto position the cushioning structurewithin the seating space of the child carrier.

As shown in, the headrest partmay protrude from the cover. The headrest partincludes a headrest support sheetand a bufferconnected to the headrest support sheet. The bufferis positioned on a side of the headrest support sheetfacing the seating space. The headrest support sheetmay be made of plastic or metal materials, and the buffermay be a foam body, such as EPP foam. The headrest support sheetmay be connected to the backrest partand slide relative to the backrest part. The headrest support sheetand the buffermay be fixed together by using adhesives, snap-fit structures, etc. The backrest parthas a backrest support sheetthat may be made of plastic or metal materials and may provide support for the child's back. The headrest support sheetis connected to the backrest support sheet. The headrest support sheetas sliding may drive the backrest support sheetto move, so that the backrest support sheetmay be adjusted to a position for matching the seated child.

As shown in, the seat parthas two sets of waist belt connecting assemblies. Each set of the waist belt connecting assemblies has two waist belt connecting parts arranged at intervals in a transverse direction of the child carrier. A waist belt may be connected to either of the two waist belt connecting parts, to have two width modes. Specifically, the two waist belt connecting parts include a first waist belt connecting partand a second waist belt connecting part. The second waist belt connecting partis near the outer side of the seat partin the transverse direction (or the width direction) of the seat partrelative to the first waist belt connecting part. The two waist belt connecting parts have hole-like structures. When the two waist belts are connected to the two respective second waist belt connecting parts, a width between the two waist beltsis larger, which can accommodate the child with a broader body shape. When the two waist beltsare connected to the two respective first waist belt connecting parts, the width between the two waist beltsis smaller, which can accommodate the child with a narrower body shape. In other embodiments, each set of the waist belt connecting assemblies may include only one waist belt connecting part, so that the waist beltsof the child carriermay be used in only one width mode; alternatively, each set of the waist belt connecting assemblies may include three and more waist belt connecting parts, so that the waist beltsmay have width modes in more levels.

Referring to,is the front view, i.e., the side facing the seating space (towards the child) of the cushioning structureaccording to this embodiment; andis a back view, i.e., the side facing the seat body(away from the child) of the cushioning structureaccording to this embodiment. The cushioning structuremay be unfolded and laid flat after being removed from the child carrier, and may also be folded and placed within the seating space of the child carrier. The cushioning structureof this embodiment includes a connecting unit, a backrest unit, and a seat unit. The connecting unitis configured to connect to the headrest partof the child carrier, the backrest unitis connected to the connecting unit, and the seat unitis connected to the backrest unit. Thus, as shown in, when the headrest partof the child carrierslides relative to the backrest partto adjust a height position of the headrest part, the headrest partmay drive the connecting unitto slide together, and the connecting unitdrives the backrest unitand the seat unitto move along with the movement of the headrest part. This can adjust the position of the cushioning structurewhile the user adjusts the position of the headrest part, to adjust the positions of the backrest unitand the seat unitto match the seated child.

Referring to, the connecting unitis also configured to support the child's head. The cushioning structurehas two shoulder belt channelsbetween the connecting unitand the backrest unit, through which the shoulder belts of the child carriermay pass.

Referring to, the connecting unitincludes a headrest cushionand a connecting part. The headrest cushionis connected to the backrest unitand is configured to support the child's head. The connecting partis connected to a back side of the headrest cushionand is configured to connect with the headrest partof the child carrier. The connecting partmay be connected to the back side of the headrest partof the child carrier. In this embodiment, a part of the connecting partis spaced from the back side of the headrest cushionto form a pocket-like portion. The connecting unitis configured to sleeve the headrest partof the child carrier, so as to accommodate the headrest partwithin the pocket-like portion, for example, wrap the headrest support sheetand the bufferwithin the pocket-like portion. Furthermore, the connecting parthas an openingthat is configured to reveal a position operating member on the headrest part. This can facilitate the user to operate the position operating member to adjust the position of the headrest part.

In this embodiment, the connecting partis a sheet-like structure (e.g., a fabric sheet), and an upper edge and left and right edges of the connecting partare fixed to the headrest cushion(e.g., by sewing threads). An openingof the pocket-like portionfaces downward. The connecting partcovers roughly half of an area of an upper portion of the back side of the headrest part, and the pocket-like portionsleeves the upper portion of the headrest part. In other embodiments, the connecting partmay be a binding strap or snap fastener structure connected to the back side of the headrest cushion.

Referring to, the seat unitis configured to support the child's hip and/or legs. The seat unithas a crotch belt perforationthat extends in a longitudinal direction of the seat unitto form a strip-like shape. The crotch belt perforationallows the crotch beltof the child carrierto pass through. As the cushioning structuremoves along with the sliding of the headrest part, the crotch belt perforationslides along with the seat unitwithout interfering with the crotch belt. This can ensure that the position of the crotch beltremains unaffected by the position adjustments of the seat unit, thereby maintaining a restraining function of the crotch beltfor the child.

Referring to, the seat unitincludes a seat cushion, a dividing part, and two first side guards. The seat cushionis configured to support the child's hip and/or legs. The dividing partis connected to the seat cushionand divides the seat cushioninto a first seating areaand a second seating area. The first seating areais connected between the backrest unitand the second seating area, to allow the seat cushionto be folded at the dividing part. The first seating areais configured to generally support the child's hip area, while the second seating areais configured to generally support the child's leg area. However, the specific areas supported by the first and second seating areasandmay vary for the children at different heights and proportions. The dividing partmay be a structure such as stitching thread or a riveted buckle, or a thinner portion of the seat cushion. The two first side guardsare attached to both sides of the seat cushionto provide lateral protection for the lower body of the child. In this embodiment, the first side guardsare fixedly connected to the seat cushion(e.g., by sewing). However, in other embodiments, the first side guardsmay also be detachably connected to the seat cushion, and whether the user chooses to attach the first side guardsas needed is not limited here. Additionally, in other embodiments, the seat cushionmay have only one seating area or may be divided into three or more seating areas, which is not limited here.

It should be noted that the presence of the first seating areaand the second seating areacan allow the seat unitto be easily deformed to fit the bodies of different children during position adjustment. For instance, the first seating areamay be adjusted to a lower position to accommodate shorter children (as shown in), where bending degree of the first seating areaand the second seating areais minimal or nearly flat on the seat partof the child carrier, and the first seating areais used to support the lower part of the child's hip. Conversely, the first seating areamay be adjusted to a higher position to accommodate taller children (as shown in), where blending degree of the first seating areaand the second seating areais more pronounced, and the first seating areais used to support the back side of the child's hip. In this embodiment, the seat unithas a reduced thickness at the dividing part, facilitating easy folding.

As an example of the cushioning structureshown in, a top-to-bottom direction on a plane ofis taken as a longitudinal direction of the cushioning structure, and the longitudinal direction is also an extension direction of lengths of the connecting unit, the backrest unit, and the seat unit. A left-to-right direction on a plane ofis taken as a transverse direction of the cushioning structure, and the transverse direction is also a width direction of the connecting unit, the backrest unit, and the seat unit. Referring to, along the longitudinal direction of the cushioning structure, an extension length of the first seating areais shorter than an extension length of the second seating area. The crotch belt perforationin strip-like shape extends from the second seating areato the first seating area. When the cushioning structureis configured to support a smaller child and the seat unitis pulled away from the backrest unit, the first seating areamay not interfere with the crotch belt. Furthermore, along the longitudinal direction of the cushioning structure, an extension length of the crotch belt perforationin the first seating areais shorter than an extension length of the crotch belt perforationin the second seating area. As shown in, the crotch belt perforationis approximately positioned in the middle of the extension length of the seat cushion.

Referring to, the cushioning structureincludes two sets of waist belt cooperation parts spaced apart along the transverse direction of the cushioning structure. Each set of the waist belt cooperation parts includes two waist belt channels arranged in a transverse direction, so that the cushioning structureis configured to match the two width modes of the waist beltsof the child carrier. Each set of the waist belt cooperation parts includes a first waist belt channeland a second waist belt channel, through which the waist beltof the child carriermay pass. The first waist belt channeland the second waist belt channelare arranged spaced apart along the transverse direction of the cushioning structure. The second waist belt channelis positioned on the outer side of the first waist belt channelin the transverse direction of the seat cushion. In this embodiment, the second waist belt channelis positioned at a side edge of the seat cushion. A part of the second waist belt channelextends beyond the first waist belt channelalong the longitudinal direction of the seat cushiontowards a free end of the seat cushion. Thereby, when the cushioning structureis moved to match older or taller child, the seat cushionis retracted towards the backrest partof the child carrier, and the second waist belt channelmay provide a long space for the waist belt, so that the cushioning structuremay be more versatile.

Specifically, an end of the first seating areaaway from the second seating areais provided with a first waist belt channel, and the seat cushionis provided with a guide channelthat extends inward from the side edgeof the seat cushionand communicates with the first waist belt channel. The waist beltsof the child carriermay enter the first waist belt channelthrough the guide channelto position the waist belt. The side edgeof the seat cushionis provided with a second waist belt channel, and can restrict the movement of the waist belts.